Sunday, September 30, 2012

Types and Tips: Notes on the critique of various genres

In the ideal critique group,
members write in the same genre. The advantage is they read a manuscript from
the same perspective. It enables them to help one another with problems
particular to their genre. They respect the critique from one of their own over
writers who are not familiar with what their reading audience wants.

For recreational reading,
writers tend to stick to their favorite genera—the one they write in. In a
mixed-genre group they have doubts. Will the poet receive an adequate critique
from a journalist who never reads poetry? Conversely, is the poet confident she
can critique a children’s picture book? She lacks the expertise needed to
evaluate it, doesn't she? Maybe not.

A writing mixture comprises
most groups. Since, from a critique standpoint each writing type does present
its own challenges; your critiques improve when you expand your reading.

Six Reading Suggestions to Improve Your Edits and Critiques

1.Read outside your genre, and when you do, read with a
critical mind. If you write hot romance, pick up a contemporary novel from a
Christian bookstore. How does its author handle love scenes? For an example of
sizzle without smut, read “Just Down the Road.” by Jodi Thomas.

2.Are you a mainstream novelist? Spend spare minutes with
popular magazines or essays for a month. Borrow an armful of picture books and
read to a three-year-old.

3.Raise your level of attention to what you see in print
throughout a typical day. If your style is literary, give business letters
extra attention. When you use the Internet, notice what grabs you and what you
find annoying. Have you noticed how much “computer help” is written in techie
jargon? If given the chance, could you
advise those writers on how to inform or instruct in plain English?

4.Pick up a readers’ guide to poetry to gain insight into
the craft.

5.Notice travel guides. Compare them to travel
advertisements.

6.Ask members of your group for a list of their favorite
books. Chances are they will lead you to their genre’s classics. You’ll gain an
idea of what those writers are aiming for, and you may gain new respect for
that writing variety.

Learning takes time, but
there is a payoff. As you gain knowledge of genres outside your comfort zone,
expect a ripple effect: the analytic prowess you develop will give you fresh
insights to your own work.

In the meantime, if your
ability to make specific pointers is limited, you can lubricate a writer’s
gears. Freelance writer, Gilda Bryant suggests this critique sandwich:
encourage, make suggestions, encourage.